Ten people killed by quad bikes in 2022

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Ten people were killed by quad bikes in 2022, according to data from Safe Work Australia. This figure confirms quad bike-related accidents remain a persistent workplace hazard across Australian industries, particularly in agriculture.

The fatalities include a 93-year-old man who died in a quad bike crash in far north Queensland in October. Age has not been a protective factor against these incidents, with victims spanning a wide range of demographics.

Where the Fatalities Occurred

Four of the ten fatalities occurred in Western Australia, two in Tasmania, while the remaining four were spread across NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory and Victoria. This distribution shows quad bike dangers exist nationwide, not confined to any single region.

• Western Australia: 4 deaths
• Tasmania: 2 deaths
• NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory and Victoria: 1 death each

A Leading Cause of Farm Deaths

Quad bike-related incidents remain the leading cause of deaths and serious injuries on Australian farms, according to Safe Work Australia figures. In 2021, eleven people were killed by quad bikes across Australia, meaning the toll has declined slightly year-on-year, though it stays unacceptably high.

For safety professionals reviewing historical trends, our earlier coverage of thirteen people killed by quad bikes in 2021 and the update on four people killed on quad bikes so far this year provides useful context for tracking patterns across multiple reporting periods.

Why Quad Bike Safety Matters for Workplace Health

Persistent quad bike deaths highlight a serious occupational health and safety challenge for employers across construction, agriculture and land management sectors. Every fatality represents a preventable loss and a failure in risk management, not simply a statistic.

Businesses that rely on quad bikes for daily operations carry a duty of care under work health and safety legislation. Meeting this obligation requires more than compliance on paper; it demands a genuine safety culture backed by practical resources.

Steps Employers Can Take

• Ensure operators receive adequate instruction before operating a quad bike on work sites
• Maintain vehicles to manufacturer standard and inspect regularly for wear or damage
• Match vehicle selection to terrain, load and task to reduce rollover risk
• Review incident data regularly to identify emerging safety trends within your workforce

A recent study into quad bike-related incidents across Australia found that many fatalities involve rollovers on uneven terrain, reinforcing the need for site-specific risk assessments rather than a one-size-fits-all standard.

Supporting a Safer Workplace

Reducing quad bike-related accidents requires a combined effort from employers, workers and industry bodies committed to raising the safety standard across every sector that relies on this equipment. Safe work practices, documented procedures and consistent monitoring all play a part in preventing further loss of life.

Our ATV – Quad Bikes SWMS template gives businesses a practical starting point for documenting safe work method statements specific to quad bike operations, helping teams meet their obligations under current work health and safety standard requirements.

For a broader view of how the road toll from quad bikes has shifted over recent years, see our report on seven Australians killed on quad bikes so far this year, which tracks incidents as they were reported throughout that period.

Source: Safe Work Australia.

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